The Movie Year in Preview - January

In the first of a 12 part series I take a look at what you can expect to see in Irish cinemas in the year ahead. 2010 promises to be another bumper year on the cinematic front, as new technologies and old favourites make their way on to the silver screen. I have tried to get the release dates as accurate as possible but some may move in the coming months. Popcorn at the ready, here we go…

Week 1: January 1st to 7th

The first week of the year doesn’t see 2010 get off to a flyimg start but with Avatar still reigning supreme at the box-office and Sherlock Holmes and Nine drawing nicely cinemas are well-stocked for those feeling the post-Christmas/post-sales blues.

Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker star in the only big release, the romantic comedy Did You Hear About The Morgans? In a stretch for Grant he plays a bumbling British man who must win back the affections of his disillusioned US wife. Complicating matters is the fact that the couple have been placed into Witness Protection after witnessing a murder. Relocated to the sticks and with a contract on their heads back in New York the couple must adapt to country living and reignite their relationship.

Also released: I’m Gonna Explode, a Mexican indie drama about two teenage runaways; Post Grad, a story about a young college graduate forced to move back home when her plans fall through starring Gilmore Girl Alexis Bledel; and Spread, a movie about a young guy who likes older women starring Ashton Kutcher (sounds like a biography).

Week 2: January 8th to 14th

Week 2 sees the first major movie release along with a host of others certain to cater to all manner of tastes.

First up is The Road, the adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The Road follows an unnamed father and his son as they journey across a barren and desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland. Armed with only a pistol and with few possessions left the man must protect his son on the long journey south against exposure, starvation and murderous groups of wandering gangs. So you’re typical feel-good family film then. Director John Hillcoat gave use the unexpectedly great Proposition and with stars of the calibre of Viggo Mortenson and Charlize Theron in major roles it should be well worth watching.

Second out is Ninja Assassin, the story of Raizo, a man who was taken from the streets as a child and trained as a killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. After the Clan murders his best-friend Raizo strikes out on his own and plots revenge against his makers. Meanwhile plunky Europol agent Mika Coretti stumbles upon the underground network of assassins and despite orders to the contrary begins an investigation that sets her firmly in the sights of the Clan. Korean pop-star Rain stars as Raizo with support from Naomie Harris as Mika and Ben Miles. The action sequences promise to be epic with Rain having undergone months of extensive martial arts training to play the part.

The third movie out is Daybreakers, based in the not-so-distant future this sees the human race infected by a plague which has turned the majority into vampires. The remaining humans are now a valuable source of food for the populace and must be protected. Chief Blood Researcher Edward Dalton is tasked with farming the humans but stumbles across a viable alternative and possible cure to the plague. Meanwhile outlaw Elvis leads a bunch of renegade humans intent on freeing the others. Twin-brother writer/director team of Michael and Peter Spierig lead a cast including Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill and Willem Dafoe in what should be a fresh and original take on the vampire sub-genre whilst offering bucket-loads of action and dystopian future imagery.

The fourth big release of week 2 is It’s Complicated, the story of divorced couple Jane and Jake. Friends now after an amicable separation 10 years previous Jane runs a busy restaurant while Jake is a high-flying attorney. A chance encounter leads to a whole new relationship with Jane now playing mistress to Jake’s much younger new wife Agness. In between is architect Adam, a charmingly befuddled man who is intent on wooing Jane for himself. So like the title says it’s complicated. Director Nancy Myers is no stranger to rom-com territory have helmed the impressive What Women Want and Something’s Got To Give while Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep and Steve Martin are all worthy of attention given the right material.

Also out: It Might get Loud, a documentary on three generations of guitarists coming together to talk about the guitar and their craft with The Edge, Jack White and Jimmy Page; Mitti, a story of ambitious Punjabi youths who fall prey to unscrupulous forces in their bid to create a better life starring singer Mika; and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, a biopic of Ian Dury lead singer of The Blockheads and music pioneer, starring Andy Serkis.

Week 3: January 15th to 21st

Two huge movies this week one of which is sure to receive a bucketload of Oscar nominations in early February, the other is a sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future (they’re all the rage these days) starring one of cinema’s coolest men.

First out is Up In The Air, the George Clooney starrer about a man who tries to avoid emotional and personal entanglement, a man totally at ease with himself and his solitary lifestyle. Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizer, a people firer for hire, who breezes from city to city in a haze of corporate expense accounts and air-miles. Needing only his wheeled suitcase and a hotel room he is solely focused on attaining his life’s goal, gaining 10 million frequent flier miles. When work lumbers him with an eager new colleague and grounds his high-flying ways he is forced to re-examine his lifestyle and his priorities. Alex Farmiga, Anna Kendrick and Jason Bateman provide the support in Juno director Jason Reitman’s vision but the real star is Clooney. Playing a role he is uniquely suited for and with the source material to match this promises to be a truly great cinematic experience.

The second big release is The Book Of Eli. Set in the near future American has now become a barren wasteland. Into this world is thrust Eli, a man armed with a shotgun, samurai sword and exceptional cunning. Finding himself in a ramshackle Californian outpost with a tyrannical leader, Eli makes friends with the leader’s stepdaughter Solara and learns of his plans for control. Escaping the madman’s clutches he and Solara must fight their way across the dangerous wastelands, travelling to the shattered ruins of San Francisco and on to a climactic showdown. The uber-cool Denzel Washington stars as Eli, with support from a suitably nutty Gary Oldman and the lovely Mila Kunis. The Hughes brothers, the creative forces behind Menace II Society, Dead Presidents and From Hell direct a movie that is sure to pack the action and pump adrenaline like few others this month.

Also out: All About Steve, a rom-com with Sandra Bullock as a crazed stalker woman; 44 Inch Chest, a tale of bruised male egos and fighting from the writers of Sexy Beast; and Chance Pe Dance, an Indian musical drama about a guy who never gives up on his dream.

Week 4: January 22nd to 28th

Two big releases and a majorly revamped release that should eclipse the other two dominate week four’s skyline.

First up is Brothers, a remake of the Danish 2004 release by Ireland’s own John Sheridan. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman this tells the story of two brothers Sam and Tommy and their lives. Freshly released from prison Sam has also spent his life in the shadow of his older brother, a decorated soldier, captain of his high-school football team and family man. When Tommy is shipped of the Afghanistan and Sam and Tommy’s wife Grace learn that he has died there they seek comfort from one another. Growing ever closer Sam and Grace form almost their own perfect couple until news emerges than Tommy is still alive and is set to return. Traumatised by the events of Afghanistan will Tommy be able to adjust back to family life and how will everyone else cope with his sudden reappearance. The original was a great and very real story of human emotion, suffering and regret and with Sheridan’s sure direction this should be great too.

Second out is The Boys Are Back, the story of a globe-trotting sports-journalist, Joe, who lives the idyllic family life on Australia’s golden coast. This is shattered when tragedy takes his wife Katy and Joe is forced to raise his son alone. Turning to drink as a coping mechanism Joe is far from the ideal dad. When his other son from a previous marraige moves home too things become complicated even further. Based on the memoir by Simon Carr the movie sees Clive Owen tackle the role of Joe with Ugandan director Scott Hicks, who gave us the passable No Reservations, at the helm.

The toys are back in the third and probably most important release this week, Toy Story 2 3D, the 3D reworking of the Disney/Pixar classic sequel. For those unfamiliar with the sequel the plot follows the toys from the first one, cowboy Woody, spaceman Buzz et al, on another epic adventure. After Woody is kidnapped by vintage toy collector Al McWhiggin the other toys must mount a rescue mission to get him back. The sequel introduces a whole new collection of iconic characters and ranks up there with Terminator 2 and Aliens as one of the few sequels to match or even outshine the original. It’s glorious entertainment with a strong message and brilliant storyline that should only be enhanced by the polish and shine brought by the new perspective. If you didn’t catch it the first time or have kids that have never witnessed it on the big screen then it’s a must. For the rest of us it’s still got the power to draw and intrigue us even today.

Also out: A Prophet Discovery, a French crime thriller from The Beat That My Heart Skipped director Jacques Audiard.

Week 5: January 29th to February 4th

The fifth week of January draws the first month of 2010 to an wonderful close with the release of a new Disney flick, an awards darling and more besides.

First up is The Lovely Bones, Peter Jackson’s take on Alice Sebold’s acclaimed novel of the same name. The story centres on Susie Salmon a 14 year old girl living with her adoring parents, sister and grandmother who is kidnapped and brutally murdered. Finding herself in an in-between world between heaven and Earth she watches over her family as they cope with their grief while attempt to find her killer. But the strain of the later is causing the family to tear apart at the seems. Ireland’s bright young star Saoirse Ronan plays Susie with Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci all playing major parts. Director Jackson is back in familiar territory having had great success with Heavenly Creatures in those pre LOTR days. His vision is slightly different from the Sebold’s original offering a more vibrant and colourful in-between but should be fantastic nonetheless.

Movie two is Disney’s welcome return to the 2D traditional hand-drawn animation that made it’s name The Princess And The Frog. When the suave and free-spirited Prince Naveen of Maldonia visits New Orleans a run-in with voodoo doctor Dr Facilier goes awry and the prince finds himself turned into a frog. Seeking out a princess so that he can be restored he happens upon to beautiful Tiana. However, she not being royal things take a turn for the worse, leading them both on thrilling journey through the bayous of Louisiana to the banks of the mighty Mississippi River and back to New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras. Early footage and the score from randy Newman promise much of this and the feature of hand-drawn animation may well be riding on it’s success. Good thing then that Disney turned to Aladdin and The Little Mermaid scribes Ron Clements and John Musker to guide what should be Disney’s return home.

The third movie of January’s last week is Edge Of Darkness, the story of single dad Thomas Craven, a veteran homicide detective. After the slaying of his daughter Craven embarks on a mission to uncover the reason why and in the course unearths a secret life he knew nothing about. His investigation leads him into a dangerous world of corporate cover-ups, government collusion and murder. The movie is directed by Casino Royale helmer Martin Campbell and is based on the classic 1986 BBC mini-series. Mel Gibson stars as Craven, once again adopting the role of protective father out for revenge he played so well in Ransom.

Also out: Precious - A Novel By Sapphire, the dramatic story of an abused teenager who’s striving to find a better life.